It’s critical to move promptly to clean up and restore your property if water damage occurs during the process of putting out a house fire.
Homeowners should keep in mind that although some service providers tackle property damage in a “one size fits all” manner, others offer a tailored strategy.
Let’s look at some of the types of water damage that can occur during a house fire.
Types of Water Damage
Damage from Clean Water
According to the IICRC, Category 1 water damage is the least serious and includes water from various appliances, overflowed sinks and bathtubs, broken water supply lines, and burst pipes.
This kind of damage is generally regarded as less serious because “clean water,” or water that is devoid of toxins and sewage, is involved.
Most goods that are damaged in category 1 accidents can typically be dried quickly and readily without having any negative long-term implications for the property owner as long as they also weren’t damaged by smoke or fire.
Damage from Gray Water
Gray water is the subject of Category 2 water damage. This includes backup water from sump pumps and plumbing fixtures like toilets and washing machines that are damaged in a house fire.
If your home has suffered category 2 water damage, it is crucial to remove any contaminated things and thoroughly clean since the waste and chemicals in gray water may later prove to be toxic. Humans may or may not be harmed by drinking or coming into contact with gray water.
Damage from Black Water
The most severe type of water damage, known as black water damage, necessitates quick intervention to reduce serious health hazards.
Sewage as well as river and ground water, are all examples of black water. When category 3 water damage happens, a large number of goods and materials must be removed from your house, and your home needs extensive cleaning after drying has taken place.
Now that we understand the different types of water damage let’s take a closer look at what to expect after a house fire.
Water Damage Can be Worse Than Fire Damage
Hundreds of liters of water can be used to put out a fire. As you may expect, there can be issues brought on by that much water that require rapid attention.
In other words, although you should be grateful that the fire spared your house or place of business, you still have a lot of work to do. As a matter of fact, water damage is just as destructive and can often lead to unanticipated repair costs. If these costs become too overwhelming, you might find it more feasible to sell a fire-damaged house instead of investing in extensive repairs.
Water damage might necessitate expensive repairs to protect your health as well as the well-being of your home.
The Problem With Water
Water poses a challenge by infiltrating hard-to-see places; if left unchecked, it can cause significant damage and increase repair costs. Unlike the visible signs of smoke and fire damage, some water damage is less obvious but equally problematic.
To prevent or minimize water damage, quickly remove water and fire-damaged items from the house.
Once the majority of the damaged things have been removed, you need to start cleaning and sanitizing what remains right away.
If the damage is severe, you might need to clean the same house areas multiple times. The finest tools to utilize to minimize significant health concerns are bleach solutions and other disinfectants.
Watch for Mold
Mold is a significant issue that can be challenging to manage after a fire. There are various mold species, and you don’t want any of them in your house or place of business, but black mold is particularly dangerous.
Cleaning is vital to stop mold growth. Perform a detailed inspection of all areas in your home or business. After restoration, regularly check these places again to ensure mold isn’t forming.
Check for Affected Wood
Any porous item, like hardwood furniture and floors, will absorb water very rapidly and become damaged as a result. Remove any wood that has been severely damaged and saturated.
Inspect floors, cabinets, and doors for water damage signs. Dispose of any affected items, even if you’re tempted to keep them.
Check for Ceiling Damage
When restoring your property or selling your fire-damaged house, ensure someone examines your ceilings during the repair process following the fire. Damaged ceilings run the possibility of collapse, adding to the harm already done to your house or place of business.
If you have ceiling panels, you can replace them as necessary, but other ceiling types might require a total replacement. After a fire, inspecting and fixing damaged ceilings is laborious work, so you might want to seek professional assistance.
Assess Damage to Drywall
The fire’s size and the volume of water used for extinguishment could lead to considerable water damage in the drywall. Dealing with this damage, albeit unpleasant, remains a better option than facing rotting wood.
Drying wet drywall may allow you to save some of it, but some areas will need to be removed and replaced. To save time and money, you could choose to patch your drywall only where it is damaged.
Just make sure you or your contractor gets rid of all damaged drywall, you don’t want mold developing there.
Don’t Forget Seals
Standing water in your residence or workplace for an extended period will weaken the seals around appliances, bathtubs, and toilets. You run the danger of severe injury if these seals crack or come loose.
Examine each seal, take out any that are broken, and fix with caulk.
Be Careful With Electrical Wiring
Damaged wiring and fixtures in your house pose significant risks, including electrical shocks and fires. It’s essential to inspect and repair any damage promptly to ensure safety.
Electrical appliances, such as laptops and televisions, likely suffered damage from fire, smoke, and water exposure. This damage can compromise their safety and functionality, necessitating careful evaluation before use.
If you suspect damage to your electrical systems and lack the expertise, immediately call a professional.
Avoid Stressful Repairs
If you want to avoid a stressful repair process with your fire-damaged house you can sell it in as-is condition to We Buy Fire Damaged Houses. We pay all cash so you can get your money fast and move on with your life.
Fill out the form below to see if your burned home qualifies for a free quote.
Photo by Michael & Diane Weidner on Unsplash